10 Major Flaws of Some Martial Arts Schools: Are They Adequate for Defense?

I have some experience in the martial arts from a number of years back and I have noticed quite a few flaws in a lot of the schools. First, there is often confusion or a lack of clarity regarding what the school is trying to accomplish. Is the facility trying to prepare the student for sports competition, or is the purpose self defense that could work in real life situations?

I consider the following 10 topics to be either failings or of questionable value, although I'm sure that some people would say that I just don't get it or that I don't understand the mystical nature of it all.

1. An Obsession with Japanese or Korean Culture, Words and Mannerisms

Although this isn't bad itself, I don't believe it is going to enhance or improve a person's fighting skills. It might make a person feel proficient, which could be detrimental.

2. "Kata" or Dance-Like Routines

Kata are "forms," or rituals that are like playing solitaire, with each maneuver signifying an actual blow, kick or block. The schools usually tout this very highly, saying that it's highly necessary. I tend to view it as a time-consuming pantomime that is not conducive to learning actual fighting skills. Again, this is my opinion, but I don't see any evidence that kata abilities are related to street fighting skill.

3. Non-Contact Practice

I believe that safety should be of paramount importance; however, it is unrealistic to think that one can become fully proficient engaging in non-contact, "pull the punch" sparring sessions, as opposed to say, boxing that involves real hitting with gloves. The schools tell people that pulling punches involves exercising "control," but I respectfully disagree, and students will not learn how to handle a real punch when that time comes.

4. Focus on the Sport and the Lack of Street-Like Training or Simulated Conditions

Often, students are automatically entered into a karate system of "scoring points" in a sports situation, which is mostly unrelated to what's going to happen on the street. Why can't they have a school that has training with people in protective gear who simulate what could occur in actual attacks?

5. Face Kicks, Spinning Kicks and Other Wild Moves

Some maneuvers involve mostly showmanship, and would be fine if one were an actor or stuntman training for a Hollywood movie. However, it would be rare if someone could pull this off on the street, and by trying, the person might receive a pile-driver into the sidewalk.

6. "Don't Drop Your Guard" and a Lack of Grappling

Normally, the fundamentals that are so important in boxing are not taught in karate, and students don't catch on to a lot of basics such as keeping the hands up, how to slip punches or to move around or away from an opponent at the right time. Many styles of karate focus on too many kicks and too high of kicks, and the hand techniques are often not that effective.

Most street encounters turn into grappling within a short time of the commencement. For some strange reason, a lot of karate schools exclude this, and although it does exist in the martial art world, one would have to seek out arts such as jiu-jitsu that would teach this. Novices should be careful to learn all of the necessary skills, and ideally, this should be from one school that is the "real McCoy."

Most karate schools only teach sparring that involves other students who are learning the same karate. What good is that going to do, when most attackers aren't going to be using karate, but might be tough in boxing, wrestling, or both?

7. Spending Time with "Nunchakus" and Other Unlikely Weapons

Make certain the school doesn't dwell on Japanese style weapons such as nunchakus or sticks that a mugger or thug would not be likely to use.

8. Everyone's Money is the Same for the School

You might be paired up with little old ladies or people who won't represent a real challenge or help you develop your skills. You might need to take it easy on certain individuals, and this is all in line with the concept of not experiencing actual combat circumstances.

9. Belts and Promotions

Most schools have belts of various colors, with the famous Black Belt being the highest. I don't have a problem with this, but the color of belt might only relate to how well the student performs in the school, or how long he or she has been there. A promotion might be based on a general good attitude, but there is no way a belt system can determine how well a person will perform in an actual attack. The belt system is mostly in tune with the sport aspect that's being taught, in my opinion.

10. Breaking Boards

This has to be the ultimate joke about karate clubs and it seems downright embarrassing. "Give me a break," if you'll pardon the expression. It's more showmanship, anyone can learn to do it, and it has nothing to do with real martial art skills.

Please bear in mind there are genuine, adequate martial arts, because many of the mixed martial artists and ultimate fighters are skillful, tough and know what they're doing. My purpose has been to point out some of the shortcomings so that newcomers wanting to learn can be mindful and aware. It is most advisable to do some thorough research regarding the style of the art, practices of the school and the focus upon street defense and real-life combat.